The head of the Border Patrol union, Brandon Judd, criticized a reported plan by the Biden administration to force migrants to stay in Texas while their asylum hearings are processed. Judd argued that this measure would not improve border security or assist agents, as it would allow catch-and-release practices to continue. He suggested that the administration only considered this plan in response to complaints from liberal mayors.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is contemplating a policy that would require certain illegal migrant families to remain in Texas by using GPS monitoring devices, such as ankle bracelets. These families would undergo an asylum process to determine their stay eligibility and, if necessary, could be more easily deported due to their proximity to the border. This program would be an expansion of the existing Family Expedited Removal Program, which monitors families in large cities.
In response to the report, a DHS spokesperson emphasized the administration’s commitment to providing safe and orderly pathways for migrants to enter the United States lawfully, while imposing consequences for those who do not use these authorized channels. They also highlighted the significant number of individuals, including family units, that have been removed or returned since May 2023.
However, the reported plan has faced criticism from Democrat mayors and state officials, including Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, who believes that the influx of migrants poses a threat to the city. This proposed policy would restrict migrants’ movements and prevent Texas from bussing migrants to other cities, exacerbating their issues.
Judd, on the other hand, dismissed this plan, stating that it would not solve the problem nor assist agents. He expressed skepticism towards ankle bracelets as an effective enforcement measure, citing the lack of personnel to monitor individuals who cut them. Judd argued that this approach would not reduce the number of released migrants entering the United States.
In his opinion, the reported policy is primarily driven by political motivations rather than concerns for border security. Judd claimed that it is designed to appease Mayor Adams and the mayor of Los Angeles, dismissing it as mere rhetoric. Notably, Judd’s criticism is not the only one, as immigration activists have also condemned the plan as cruel and inhumane towards migrants.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened legal action and vowed to send more buses of migrants if the plan is implemented.